Tax Capacity and Tax Effort in Turkiye and the European Union Countries: An Empirical Application

Öz

An efficient tax system is pivotal for effectively implementing fiscal policy and fostering economic development. The extent to which a tax system realizes its full potential determines its efficacy. Nevertheless, existing literature highlights that various economic, social, demographic, and institutional factors can impose limitations on realizing potential tax capacity, thereby constraining the level of tax effort. In this context, this research’s principal objective is to assess tax efforts spanning 1995 to 2021 for 27 European Union member states, 3 European Economic Area nations, and Turkiye. Within this framework, our regression analysis attempts to unveil the influence of critical factors affecting taxable capacity, including sectors with inherent tax challenges, international trade dynamics, the scope of the shadow economy, and the level of financial development. The findings of our study shed light on several noteworthy trends. Northern European countries exhibit a notably higher level of tax effort than the remaining sample countries and Turkiye, which lags behind the sample’s average tax effort level. Furthermore, the study postulates that enhancing financial development and curbing the shadow economy can contribute to the expansion of fiscal space by bolstering tax capacity. Key Words: Tax Capacity, Tax Effort, Tax Policy, Panel Data Analysis JEL Classification: H20, E62, 023

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Tax Capacity
• Tax Effort
• Tax Policy
• Panel Data Analysis

Türkiye ve Avrupa Birliği Ülkelerinde Vergi Kapasitesi ve Vergi Gayreti: Ampirik Bir Uygulama

Öz

Etkin bir vergi sisteminin özellikle maliye politikasının uygulanabilirliği ve ekonomik kalkınma süreci açısından önemli olduğu düşünülmektedir. En basit anlamıyla, bir vergi sisteminin etkinliği, potansiyelinin ne kadarının gerçekleştirildiğiyle ilgilidir. Bununla birlikte, literatürde ekonomik, sosyal, demografik ve kurumsal faktörlerin potansiyel vergi kapasitesinin gerçekleştirilmesinde bazı kısıtlamalar yaratabileceği ve vergi gayreti düzeyini sınırlayabileceği tartışılmaktadır. Dolayısıyla, bu çalışmanın birincil amacı, 27 Avrupa Birliği, 3 Avrupa Ekonomik Bölgesi üyesi ve Türkiye için 1995-2021 döneminde vergi çabası düzeyini belirlemeye çalışmaktır. Bu bağlamda gerçekleştirilen regresyon tahmini, vergilendirmenin zor olduğu sektörler, uluslararası ticaret, kayıt dışı ekonomi ve finansal gelişme gibi vergileme kapasitesinin temel belirleyicilerinin etkilerini ortaya koymaya çalışmaktadır. Ampirik bulgular vergi gayreti açısından Kuzey Avrupa ülkelerinin örneklemin geri kalanından daha iyi bir performans gösterdiği, Türkiye’nin ise örneklem ortalamasının altında olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Ayrıca finansal gelişmenin iyileştirilmesi ve kayıt dışı ekonomi ile mücadelenin vergi kapasitesini artırarak mali alan oluşumuna katkı sağlayabileceği savunulmaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Vergi Kapasitesi; Vergi Çabası, Vergi Politikası, Panel Veri Analizi JEL Sınıflandırması: H20, E62, 023

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Vergi Kapasitesi
• Panel Veri Analizi
• Vergi Çabası
• Vergi Politikası

Kaynakça

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